1932 Motueka by-election

The 1932 Motueka by-election was a by-election in the New Zealand electorate of Motueka, a rural seat at the top of the South Island.

1932 Motueka by-election

← 1931 general 1 December 1932 (1932-12-01) 1935 general →

Candidate Keith Holyoake Paddy Webb Roderick McKenzie Party Reform Labour Liberal–Labour Popular vote 3,887 3,210 829

Member before election George Black Independent Elected Member Keith Holyoake Reform

The by-election occurred on 1 December 1932, and was precipitated by the suicide of sitting Independent member of parliament George Black on 17 October 1932.^[1]

The by-election was contested by Keith Holyoake (Reform Party candidate for the United/Reform Coalition), Paddy Webb (Labour Party), and 80 year old Roderick McKenzie, ex-MP for Motueka (1896–1914) standing as Independent Liberal–Labour.

1931 general election result

1931 General election: Motueka^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	George Black	4,180	53.30	−0.75
	Reform	Keith Holyoake	3,663	46.70
Majority			517	6.59	−1.50
Informal votes			37	0.47	−0.21
Turnout			7,880	88.51	−1.71
Registered electors			8,903
	Independent hold		Swing

1932 by-election result

The following table gives the election results:

1932 Motueka by-election^[3][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Reform	Keith Holyoake	3,887	49.04	+2.34
	Labour	Paddy Webb	3,210	40.50
	Liberal–Labour	Roderick McKenzie	829	10.46
Majority			677	8.54	+1.95
Turnout			7,926	89.03	+0.52
Registered electors			8,903
	Reform gain from Independent		Swing